The apartment was dim except for the glow of the kitchen light. Misato never bothered turning on more than one when she was drinking, it causes her head to pound. An open beer sat on the table beside two empties, condensation dripping down its side. She leaned back in her chair, one hand covering her eyes, trying to quiet the dull ache pulsing behind them. Pen Pen slept in his compartment with the door cracked open, the cold light flickering faintly against Misato’s bare legs.

The front door clicked.

Misato’s head snapped up too fast, her hair tumbling over her shoulders. She blinked, trying to straighten herself before the Child stepped fully inside. The clock on the wall read 10:47. Much too late for kids- well who were, technically, soldiers, but still kids in her mind.

“You’re late,” she called, her voice wobbling just enough that even she heard it. She pushed herself upright, shoving the empty cans aside as if it would erase the smell. “I’ve been waiting. You were supposed to be home an hour ago.”

She tried to smile, but it didn’t reach her glassy eyes.

A sigh left her, half relief, half frustration. She doesn’t want to scold them too much, she knows that they’re just trying to blow off steam whenever they aren’t in school. “I know you’re capable. I know you can take care of yourself. But I… I worry, okay? You walk in here like nothing’s wrong, and my heart’s been in my throat all night.”

She hesitated, rubbing her thumb over the lip of the fresh beer she hadn’t opened yet.

“Come here,” she said more quietly. “Just… let me see you. Make sure you’re really okay. Come let me see”